July 1, 2019

LOYALSOCK AREA ACCIDENT SENDS ONE TO HOSPITAL

An accident in Loyalsock Township Saturday sent one young man to the hospital with minor injuries.  Four boys under the age of 18 were traveling along the 800 block of Freedom Road when the Ford Focus they were in hit an embankment and flipped on its’ side.  The Williamsport Sun Gazette reports only one person was hospitalized after the crash that occurred around 1:40pm Saturday.

SEVERE WEATHER CAUSES PROBLEMS

Heavy storms this weekend downed trees, overwhelmed the sewer system and took out power in some areas of Williamsport.  The Sun Gazette reports that the Lycoming County Department of Public Safety received almost 50 weather related emergency calls Saturday evening between 5pm and 8pm.  The winds and rain caused flooding in some intersections, brought down trees near Brandon Park and along Market Street and downed electric lines and utility poles which closed a section of Route 44 in Watson Township.

ANNUAL GAS IMPACT TAX REIMBURSMENT COMES TO PA

Lycoming County has received an almost 10 million dollar disbursement thanks to the Natural Gas Impact Tax, implemented in Pennsylvania in 2012.  County Commissioners  say the Act 13 funds go toward major projects and the financial aid from the Impact Tax has helped control the budget locally.  The Williamsport Sun Gazette reports that statewide this year, over 251 million dollars of the disbursement has helped local governments with environmental protection, flood mitigation, emergency response planning and more.

SUNBURY SEEKS NEW POLICE OFFICERS
The mayor of Sunbury has officially put out the call for more police officers there.    The city will take applications for full-time police officers through the end of business July 30^th 2019.  Mayor Kurt Karlovich says the applicants must have a PA drivers license and be Act 120 Certified.  WKOK reports testing for the positions takes place August 3^rd.

TENNIS COURTS DEDICATED

Williamsport Mayor Gabriel Campana officially dedicated 6 tennis courts in a ceremony Friday at Brandon Park celebrating part of a 650 thousand dollar upgrade there.   Officials from Brandon Park told the Sun Gazette that upgrading the courts is part of an agreement with the US Tennis Association.  Parts of the Children’s playground area of the park is the next scheduled upgrade.

MAN ARRESTED FOR HUFFING TOXIC SUBSTANCES

A Williamsport man was arrested at a local Walmart for huffing toxic substances and public drunkenness in late May in Montoursville.  30 year old Kristopher Fike was seen on videotape breathing the contents of a can of Ultra Duster, then becoming drunk and disorderly when approached by police.  North Central PA dot com reports that Fike was charged in front of District Magistrate Gary Whiteman in Montoursville.

NEW REHAB FACILITY IN NORTHUMBERLAND

A new Drug and alcohol rehab facility has been opened on the site of  the Northumberland County Prison.  WKOK reports that Gaudenzia Incorporated opened the facility as part of comprehensive services they offer on the property. The new location in Coal Township will provide a family-type campus with an atmosphere that stresses accountability according to Gaudenzia’s CEO, Dale Kratzky.

PAPAYAS IN PA CAUSE SALMONELLA

There are reports of 62 people who purchased Papaya fruit from Mexico in Pennsylvania getting salmonella poisoning, 23 of them hospitalized.  The most recent poisonings happened June 8^th. Officials with the CDC say no deaths were reported from the tainted papaya but the warning to not eat the imported fruit has been issued in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS

We’re getting ready for the 4^th of July.  With lots of opportunities for families to spend the holiday together.  Backyard Broadcasting in conjunction with the City of Williamsport will be celebrating the Annual Set the Night to Music event on the 4^th downtown, but other events through the week include the annual Fireworks Wedenesday night in Montgomery Borough, a fireworks show Friday at Ives Run along the Tioga Hammond Lake in Tioga County, and on Saturday  at the Jersey Shore Town Meeting Grounds.

Sports

Major league Baseball

Yankees beat the Red Sox 12-8, Indians blanked the Orioles 2-nothing, Royals beat the Blue Jays 7-6, Rays over the Rangers 6-2, Nationals beat the Tigers 2-1, Reds over the Cubs 8-6, Phillies kicked the Marlins 13-6,  White Sox slid past the Twins 4-3, Brewers bumped the Pirates 2-1, Astros stomped the Mariners 6-1, Dodgers shook the Rockies 10-5, Giants thumped the Diamondbacks 10-4, A’s beat the Angels 12-3, Cardinals over the Padres 5-3 and Mets beat the Braves 8-5.

NASCAR– Alex Bowman won his first career NASCAR cup series race at the Camping World 400 at Chicagoland Speedway yesterday.

NY-Penn League – West Virginia Black Bears beat Williamsport Crosscutters 3-2 on the road.

PA SENATE DEBATE BECOMES SHOUTING MATCH

Debate over a welfare bill in the Pennsylvania Senate yesterday turned chaotic with name calling and shouting in what one Republican lawmaker said was the worst day in the Senate in 20 plus years.   Emotions were high over whether to eliminate a general assistance program.  PennLive reports the debate became contentious when both Democrats and Republicans accused the other of hijacking the Senate by not following proper procedure when putting forth a vote.  Ultimately things calmed down when Governor Wolf had to intervene.  The bill to eliminate the program narrowly passed and Wolf will have to make a final decision.

FORMER OFFICER CHARGED OVER FUND MISAPPROPRIATION

Charges were filed yesterday in Sunbury against the former Northumberland County Chief Probation Officer accused of stealing over 30 thousand dollars from the department between 2014 and 2016.  41 year old Jimmie Cortelyou faces two theft felonies and one misdemeanor of misapplication of entrusted government property.   Cortelyou was arraigned in in front of District Judge Mike Toomey.

WATER AND SEWER INCREASES ON THE WAY

The Williamsport Municipal Water Authority has adopted its’ series of budgets for 2020 and part of that means that water and sanitary rates will go up for many customers in January.  Officials with the authority told the Williamsport Sun Gazette the combined increase will amount to about 30 dollars per year.  Also included in the budget is about 9 million dollars in funding to pay for projects on West Fourth, West Third, and Franklin Streets over the next four years.

PENNSYVANIA TO PARTIALLY LIFT SUNDAY HUNTING BAN

A bill to end the ban on hunting Sundays in Pennsylvania has passed in the Senate.  Legislation to allow 3 specific Sundays when hunting will be legal, one during deer rifle season, one during deer archery season and another day that’s up to the PA Game Commission.  Officials told the York Dispatch that it will bring in more revenue from license fees.

LOYALSOCK POOL LOOKING FOR SUMMER LIFEGUARDS

The Loyalsock Township Supervisors unanimously approved commercial additions this week to property along East Third Street, approved a sale of 124 acres off of Cemetary Road, reviewed a proposal for a driving range at the Williamsport Country Club.  They also noted that the Loyalsock Community Pool is short on lifeguards this year.  Township manager, Bill Burdett told the Sun Gazette that they approved the hire of one lifeguard and swim teacher at Tuesday’s meeting.

WOMAN CHARGED WITH ARSON

A New Berlin woman was charged yesterday in Union County Court with five felony counts of arson and recklessly endangering another person.  Twenty one year old Haley Boney told police that she lit a blanket on fire and placed in in her sons closet and left with her 7 m onth old daughter to take out the garbage.  When they returned the smoke alarm had gone off in the apartment and she called 911 .  Police reported that Boney confessed her actions  in a written statement.  The fire was put out by the New Berline Fire Department – damage amounts to about 5 thousand dollars

PARK AVENUE PROJECT BEING PLANNED

Some Williamsport City Council members want to begin the legwork on a project to revitalize the Park Avenue area of the city.  Members of the economic revitalization committee told the Williamsport Sun Gazette that the area around UPMC Susquehanna is an area with an opportunity for improvement and stablilization.  They say members of the neighborhood are invited to work with the city to become invested in the future expansions around the hospital.

FOURTH OF JULY BRINGS DUI CHECKPOINTS

Members of our community are reminded that will be DUI Checkpoints and DUI Roving patrols on the way to emphasize safety during the Fourth of July holiday.  The Lycoming County DUI Enforcement Team says they are working in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to conduct Boating Under the Influence checks, as well.  Chief Joe Hope said in a press release that he encourages everyone to celebrate safely and that the .08 percent law will be strictly enforced on the roads and on the water.

YUENGLING DONATES TO MILITARY CAUSE

A Pennsylvania Brewery has given a portion of the proceeds from a T-shirt sale to TAPS, a non-profit organization that offers help to families grieving the loss of a loved one who served in the military.  WNEP reports that the Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville gave 50 thousand dollars to the “Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors”.  Sixth generation owner Debbie Yuengling said the military is a community that’s close to their hearts.

Sports

Major League Baseball

White Sox beat the Red Sox 8-7, Yankees bumped the Blue Jays 8-7, Indians beat the Royals 5-3, Padres thumped the Orioles 10-5, Diamondbacks beat the Dodgers 8-2,  Rockies over the Giants 6-3, Phillies squeaked past the Mets 5-4, Rangers over the Tigers 4-1, Nationals slapped the Marlins 7-5, A’s blanked the Cardinals 2-0, Mariners bounced the Brewers 4-2, Braves beat the Cubs 5-3, Angels shook the Reds 5-1, Pirates slammed the Astros 14-2,
Twins beat the Rays 6-4.

NY Penn League

Auburn Doubledays beat the Williamsport Crosscutters 5-2

College World Series Game 3 last night

Vanderbilt won over Michigan 8-2 – claiming its 2^nd National Title since 2014

WOMAN CHASES ANOTHER WOMAN WITH KNIVES

A 31 year old woman accused of chasing another woman on Center Street in Williamsport has been arrested.  The victim said she was chased to the interior of her car by 31 year-old Amanda Gaines who was wielding two kitchen knives.  Gaines then stabbed at the car , broke the blades and dropped the weapons at the scene.  Police say there were reports of Gaines fighting with other patrons at a local store, she was charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct and released.  A preliminary hearing is July 25^th.

OPENING STATEMENTS IN LYCOMING COUNTY COURT

A man accused of killing an elderly man in Lycoming county in April of 2017 faced charges of criminal homicide, aggravated assault and burglary in Lycoming County Court Monday.  Graham Norby-Vardac allegedly killed Donald Kleese, Jr. in his home in Eldred Township.  Police say Norby-Vardac allegedly broke into Kleese’s home, killed him with a shovel and stole his car.  According to the Williamsport Sun Gazette, Norby-Vardac has a history of mental illness.  The trial will continue this Thursday.

WATER AUTHORITY MEMBER ACCUSED OF ETHICS BREACH

There’s been a report filed with the PA Ethics Commission against a member of the Williamsport Municipal Water and Sanitary Authority.  The Sun Gazette reports Cynthia Perry, who was recently denied a 5-year re-appointment to the authority by the City Council, says William  Ertel voted to personally benefit from local development.  As a fellow authority member, Ertel, is also accused of disclosing private information during executive sessions.

THE FLYING WALLENDAS WIRE MADE IN WILLIAMSPORT

A rope maker in Williamsport is proud of the Flying Wallendas accomplishment after they were televised walking over Times Square this weekend on a high-wire manufactured in Lycoming County.  WNEP reports Wire Rope Works in Williamsport made the wire for Nik Wallenda that they used Sunday.  The wire, which is three-quarter inches in diameter with a breaking strength of 70 thousand pounds, took about 10 weeks to be designed and created. Wire works engineers say they’re up for Wallenda’s next challenge of walking over an active volcano.

MAN DIES AFTER BOATING ACCIDENT

A man from Northumberland died after a boating accident last week in Lycoming County.  68 year-old Thomas Bell and another man were on a private pond near Ralston and attempted to switch places in a row boat.  Emergency responders say the boat tipped and Bell went into the water.  He lost his grip on the boat and went under while attempting to get to shore.  Pennlive reports the coroner from Lycoming County reported Bell’s death as due to natural causes.

MAN ARRESTED FOR SELLING CRACK COCAINE

The Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit reports that a man was arrested in May for selling crack cocaine out of his Williamsport home.  36 year-old Jaheed K. Wright responded to an online message when a confidential informant requested the drugs.  According to North Central PA dot com, charges of narcotics with intent to deliver, possession of narcotics and criminal use of a communication facility were filed in May against Wright at the office of District Magistrate Christian D. Frey.

BILL COULD REFORM EDUCATION EVALUATION SYSTEM

A bill in Harrisburg to reform the educator evaluation system passed Monday in the Senate 38-11, and now heads to the House of Representatives according to the Pennsylvania State Education Association.  The bill, supported strongly by the PSEA, increases the emphasis on direct classroom observation, reducing the impact of student performance measures like standardized testing and accounting for the effects of poverty on student achievement.  PSEA President, Rich Askey said the bill, if it becomes law, will create a more accurate and fair evaluation system that works better for students and educators.

FREE SAFETY DAY AT ROUTE 15 REST STOP

PennDOT is hosting a free safety day at the PA Welcome Center off Route 15 in Tioga Friday.  The Highway safety Network and Safe Kids PA will partner together to feature a fun day focusing on safety for visitors to the facility.  There will be safety presentations from various state agencies and law enforcement groups. There will also be a memorial on display from 10am til 2pm paying tribute to the 89 PennDOT workers who have been lost while on duty since 1970.

MAHANOY CITY SPCA RESCUES MORE DOGS

Eighteen neglected dogs were rescued from a home in Mahanoy City Monday.  Local police and SPCA officials seized the animals from a home where the water is shut off and the owner said he was breeding the animals to make money.  WNEP reports that this is the second Mahanoy City animal rescue in less than a week.  Hillside SPCA reports these rescued animals have been taken to Ruth Steiner Memorial SPCA in Pine Grove.

Sports

Major-League Baseball

Yankees beat the Blue Jays 8-10 Phillies snapped the Mets 13-seven, Red Sox over the White Sox 6-5, Indians over the Royals 3-2, Cubs thumped the Braves 8-3, Diamondbacks over the Dodgers 8-5, Rockies blanked the Giants 2 – nothing.

US Women’s World Cup Soccer yesterday in France….

United States was victorious over Spain 2-1

SECOND FATALITY FROM ACCIDENT THAT SHUT DOWN I-80
There has been a second fatality as a result of that 8 car accident on I-80 that happened this week in Northumberland County.  WNEP reports that 76 year-old Katherine Malon from Fallentimber, Pennsylvania died from her injuries sustained in Tuesday’s accident, yesterday at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. The wreck shut down I-80 near Milton for over 9 hours and also killed a man from Berwick who was driving one of the vehicles involved in the pile-up.

COUNCIL REJECTS RE-APPOINTMENT OF AUTHORITY MEMBER

The Williamsport City Council forced some changes in the Municipal Water and Sanitary Authority after a vote last night rejected the re-appointment of a city resident.  The Williamsport Sun Gazette reports Cindy Perry had a prickly interview with the ad hoc committee which may have sealed her fate. Councilman Randall Allison said he felt the authority needed a new direction.  Mayor Campana described the vote against Perry as discriminatory since she was the first woman to serve on the authority in decades. Kent Trachte, president of Lycoming College was approved as an appointment to a 5-year term.

FLIGHTS TO FLORIDA FROM STATE COLLEGE ON THE WAY

A Las Vegas Airline has announced new service between Pennsylvania and Florida adding more travel options from our state.  Allegiant Air will add four non-stop flights per week this October between State College and Orlando/Sanford and Tampa/St. Pete. The University Park Airport Director told Central PA dot com that if the flights are 100 percent occupied that 656 passengers can use this new convenient service to cut down on the long drive to the Sunshine state.

NO MAJOR FLOODING EXPECTED

With the above average rainfall, Williamsport is seeing the fourth wettest year-to-date on record with June coming in at 4.67 inches of rain so far with 10 days left to go in the month.  A meteorologist with the National Weather service told the Williamsport Sun Gazette that we shouldn’t worry about seeing any major flooding – the Susquehanna River is in a caution stage but is not expected to rise to flood stage levels.
REMAINS IDENTIFIED AS A WOMAN’S LEGS

State Police continue an investigation into identifying the human remains found along the north shore of the Susquehanna River last month. The Lycoming County Coroner, Charles Kiessling told the Sun Gazette that the bones were determined to be two legs of a female, cut near the knee joint.  He was unable to determine an age or race of the bones and said there are no reports of missing persons in the area that fit this case.  Investigators are awaiting results from forensic scientists in Erie PA.

HIKER LOST IN LITTLE PINE CREEK RESCUED

A couple visiting the area from Carlisle survived an ordeal this week after becoming separated while hiking near Little Pine Creek. The Sun Gazette reports 33 year-old Sara Hughes fell behind while walking with her fiancé Ben Fazio on a trail, became trapped in mud, fell down a steep bank and was bitten by a snake while trying to find her way.  Citizen’s Hose Company of Jersey Shore and Waterville Fire and Rescue searched for the missing woman, finding her after dark, and transporting her to UPMC Susquehanna Regional Medical Center.  Hughes was treated for dehydration and the snakebite, but is expected to be ok.

MONTGOMERY ACCIDENT SCENE CLEARED

A local road is back to normal today after a truck overturned on the Montgomery River bridge yesterday morning around 8:30 and the clean-up closed the roadway to motorists.  The intersection at Route 54 and Route 405 in Deleware Township in Northumberland County reopened this morning. The Montgomery fire chief told WNEP that a tractor-trailer carrying hot lime overturned while going around a curve and went down an embankment. The driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

BEER BREWERS CAN APPLY FOR GRANTS

Grants are being made available to Pennsylvania Beer brewers to increase the quality, profitability, production and sale of malt and brewed beverages here.  Secretary of Agriculture, Russell Redding, said the PA beer industry is one of the strongest in the nation.  This interested in applying for the more than 700 thousand dollars worth of grants for local brewers should submit an email proposal by August 2^nd, 2019.

Sports

Major League Baseball

Texas over Cleveland 4-2, Toronto over LA Angels 7-5 in 10 innings, Kansas City over Minnesota 4-1, Yankees over the Astros 10-6, A’s over the Ray’s 5-4, Seattle sailed over Baltimore 5-2, Colorado over Arizona 6-4 in10 innings, Washington over Philly7-4, Miami over St. Louis 7-6, Cubs beat the Mets 7-4, Reds over the Brewers 7-1, LA Dodgers beat the Giants 9-8

North Penn Baseball League

Williamsport Crosscutter’s doubleheader in State College last night:

Spikes over the Cutters in both games, 7-4 and 7-6

Major Softball

South Williamsport beat Montoursville 16-nothing

Soccer – Women’s World Cup
The US National Team Faced Sweden last night in France and won 2-0.

BERWICK MAN DIES IN CRASH THAT SHUT DOWN INTERSTATE

A man from Berwick died in a crash on I-80 near Milton yesterday around 1:30pm that shut down the highway for hours.  Seventy four year old Earl McCormick was driving one of the tractor trailers that hit the first wreck that likely occurred because of the heavy rain – McCormick was pronounced dead at the scene.  Three other cars and other tractor trailers were engaged in accidents that closed I-80 eastbound and westbound between the Milton/Williamsport exit (212) and the Route 254 exit (215) according to PennDOT.  Eastbound I-80 reopened just after 3pm but the westbound lanes stayed shut down until just before midnight.

WOMAN CHARGED WITH POISONING ELDERLY COUPLE

Milton State Police have arrested a Montandon woman after they say she tried to poison an elderly couple, for whom she was the caretaker.  WKOK reports that 37 year-old Tina Young admitted putting ground pieces of rat poison in the couple’s cigarettes to kill them because they fired her from the job in their Northumberland County home.  Young was sent to Northumberland County Prison and a preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for June 26.

NEW OPIOID CONTROL LEGISLATION

State Republicans have introduced a package of bills in Harrisburg that combats the opioid and heroin addiction crisis that they say is crippling Pennsylvania communities.  New bills introduced include efforts to improve prescription drug monitoring, limiting prescriptions and targeting drug dealers.  North Central PA dot com reports the senate will consider the seven new bills this week.

TREE FALLS AND CAUSED ELECTIRCAL OUTAGE

A tree that came down Tuesday afternoon interrupted power in downtown Williamsport and forced a skilled-nursing unit in Loyalsock Township to use their gas powered generators as a back up.  According to the Williamsport Sun Gazette, the tree came down on telephone and electric lines along Ravine Rd. which also caused about 300 PP&L customers to lose service. The interrupted power also caused a fire alarm to go off at a building at West Third and Government Place.

TRANSIT AUTHORITY RACISM CASE SETTLED

There’s been a settlement in the US Middle District court case between Williamsport city and a former finance clerk at River Valley Transit.  Shenique Coates said she was exposed to repeated racism.  The Williamsport Sun Gazette reports that an assistant manager allegedly persuaded Coates to avoid Human Resources during a conflict.  The transit company will pay Coates 48 thousand dollars covering pay and attorney’s fees.

SCHOOL BOARD APPROVE MILLAGE INCREASE

The Williamsport area school board has voted to approve the 2019-2020 budget with an increase in its total millage from 16.50 to 16.89.  That’s 39 dollars for every 100 thousand dollars of assessed real estate value.  The Williamsport Sun Gazette reports the amount of money generated by the increase will be added to the maintenance part of the budget.

PAVING PROJECT THROUGH JUNE IN TIOGA COUNTY

PennDOT says there will be another road project to slow things down starting tomorrow evening along Route 6 in Tioga County near Wellsboro.  A half mile paving project will effect Route 6 from Kelsey Creek to the intersection with Route 287 and Queen Street in Wellsboro.  All work will be performed nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.. Expect the work to continue through the end of the month.

SPORTS

Yankees beat the Rays 6-3, Tigers squeak past the Pirates 5-4, Angels win over the Blue Jays 3-1, Reds beat the Astros 4-3, Mets ran past the Braves 10-2, White Sox beat the Cubs 3-1, Indians bump the Rangers 10-3, Twins over the Red Sox 4-3, Marlins blank the Cardinals 6-nothing, Rockies push the Diamondbacks 8-1,
A’s over the Orioles 16 -2, Padres win over the Brewers 4-1, Dodgers bring down the Giants 9- nothing, Royals thump the Mariners 9-nothing,
Phillies and the Nationals postponed again due to rain.
–  make up date will be in September.

State College Spikes beat the Crosscutters in 10 innings 4-2